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A Few of My Favorite Things

Ask anyone, whether for Christmas or Hanukkah, there is one special thing that he or she may display in their homes to mark these celebrations. You know what I’m talking about. Maybe it’s the Charlie Brown Christmas tree or the famous leg lamp that finds its way into your front window for all to see. Some may enjoy setting up a train layout under the tree or displaying a family menorah passed down through the generations. Whatever brings about smiles, now is the time to make the season bright. I shook off the gloom of last year’s holidays and have managed to get the tree up. ...

Lesson Learned At Lowe’s

A recent trip to Lowe’s in Wheeling has renewed my belief that people are just nicer in this valley. Case in point: our purchase of the day included two large sheets of plywood. After the sticker shock, I was offering to help my better half maneuver the sheets into a cart when two gentlemen stepped in to provide assistance. These two guys didn’t work there; they were there on their own mission to purchase items to complete a project. The wood shavings on their shirts gave a hint as to their work. These two good Samaritans would not allow me to handle the plywood, thus ...

Christmas Is Here, Bring Out Your Treasures

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas is everywhere. It seems the season moves rapidly forward with little time for Advent or waiting. But so much depends on the holiday season, from Black Friday business promotions, to family gatherings, travel, work and school schedules, that it’s easy to see how the holidays take over. I just started my decorating this weekend. Like most antique enthusiasts, I have vintage Santas, antique trees, special ornaments for the tree and other treasures that I enjoy. Do you have a favorite ornament on your Christmas tree? There are so many choices, ...

Thanksgiving Gatherings Bring Antiques to the Table

Antiques and Thanksgiving just naturally go together. After all, fall is the time for enjoying family, friends, your home and hearth. So, what better time to pull out your treasures and feature them on the table. From platters to china patterns, to serving dishes and table linens, antiques enhance the table setting immeasurably and add to the tastiness of a turkey dinner. Antique butter dishes are one of the simple pleasures that dress up the table in an easy way. These utilitarian dishes are also a stand-alone collectible that antique enthusiasts have long appreciated. But ...

Case Closed?

As I write this column, the jury is still out in the Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial. By now, anyone who reads the newspaper or listens to the news knows what this case has been about. Rittenhouse shot and killed two people and wounded another during civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin in August of last year. Rittenhouse has maintained that he shot the men in self-defense. I will spare you any further details. You and I will know the outcome of the trial by the time this column is published. What I will tell you is that while watching and listening to these proceedings, I have ...

What’s The Rush?

Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is about three weeks away. No, I do not skip over Thanksgiving and head straight into Christmas. No sir, I like Thanksgiving too much to jump right into Advent. In my opinion Thanksgiving is one of the least stressful of the seasonal holidays. That is unless you are the one doing the cooking because mostly the day is all about food, family gatherings, watching football on TV and more food. The holiday can be as laid back or as formal as your family desires. The meal can be traditional turkey and all the fixings or a barrel of Kentucky Fried ...